A cooling apparatus that cools a cooling target object in a state in which an electromagnetic field or an electric field acts on the cooling target object and that is capable of efficiently causing a subcooling state of the object is provided. The cooling apparatus includes a refrigeration machine to cool an cooling target object, an electromagnetic wave irradiation device to generate an electromagnetic field which acts on the cooling target object and intensity of which is variable, a controller to control operations of the refrigeration machine and the electromagnetic wave irradiation device and perform a subcooling operation of cooling the cooling target object by using the refrigeration machine in a state in which the electromagnetic field is generated, and a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the cooling target object. In the subcooling operation, the controller controls the intensity of the electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic wave irradiation device in accordance with the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

A thermomagnetic cycle device has a plurality of element beds including a magneto-caloric effect element that demonstrates a magneto-caloric effect. A magnetic field modulation device modulates a magnetic field applied to the magneto-caloric effect element. A heat transport device generates a reciprocating flow of a heat transport medium which performs heat-exchange with the magneto-caloric effect element. A variable flow path mechanism activates a part of the plurality of element beds and deactivates a remaining part. A controller determines an active bed number according to a required capacity. The active element bed is arranged to suppress torque fluctuations.

An electromagnetic induction system for providing either heating or cooling. A sleeve shaped component extends within the housing and supports a plurality of spaced apart and radially extending electro-magnetic plates. An elongated conductive component is rotatably supported about the sleeve support and incorporates a plurality of linearly spaced apart and radially projecting conductive plates which alternate with the electro-magnetic plates. A motor rotates the conductive component such that rotation of the conductive plates results in the creation of an oscillating magnetic field for conditioning of the fluid by either heating or cooling of the fluid. A controller adjusts an intensity of the magnetic fields to adjust a level of conditioning of the fluid flow which is communicated via the conductive component through an outlet of the housing.

There are provided a magnetic work body capable of being easily laminated and a magnetic heat pump device using the same. A magnetic work body is provided with a plate-shaped body 31 formed of a magnetic work substance, in which a gap forming deformation portion 32 serving as a gap adjusting member in laminating is formed in the plate-shaped body.

The invention provides an alloy comprising e.g. manganese, iron, vanadium, phosphor and silicon. The invention also provides an apparatus comprising a magnetic field generator, a heat sink, the thermo element, a heat source, and a control system, wherein in a controlling mode the control system is configured to select between (i) a first configuration wherein the magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field, the thermo element is exposed to the magnetic field, and heat from the thermo element is transferred to the heat sink, and (ii) a second configuration, wherein the thermo element is not exposed to the magnetic field, and heat from a heat source is transferred to the thermo element.

A heat pump system that uses variable magnetization to control the amount of MCM subjected to a magnetic field is provided. More particularly, the amount of MCM subjected to a magnetic field can be selected based on the amount of refrigeration needed. As such, the heat pump system can be adjusted based on e.g., changes in ambient conditions, and the energy used in operating such a heat pump system can be conserved so as to increase energy efficiency of the system.

A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a magneto-caloric cylinder with a plurality of magneto-caloric stages. Each of the plurality of magneto-caloric stages has a respective Curie temperature. The magneto-caloric cylinder also includes a plurality of insulation blocks and a plurality of pins. The plurality of magneto-caloric stages and the plurality of insulation blocks are distributed sequentially along an axial direction in the order of magneto-caloric stage then insulation block. One or more the plurality of pins extends along the axial direction between each magneto-caloric stage and a respective insulation block within the magneto-caloric cylinder.

A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber. The cabinet has a duct with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and outlet of the duct is contiguous with the chilled chamber of the cabinet such that air within the chilled chamber is flowable into the duct at the inlet of the duct and air within the duct is flowable into the chilled chamber at the outlet of the duct. A heat pump system is operable to cool the chilled chamber of the cabinet. The heat pump system includes a cold side heat exchanger in thermal communication with the air within the duct. The heat pump system also includes features for condensing water vapor from the air within the duct prior to the cold side heat exchanger.

A magnetic refrigeration device includes a magnetic heat container, a magnetic field generation device, a high temperature-side heat exchanger, a low temperature-side heat exchanger, and a pump. The magnetic heat container is filled with a magneto-caloric material. The pump is capable of transporting a heat transport medium in a reciprocable manner between the high temperature-side heat exchanger and the low temperature-side heat exchanger via the magnetic heat container. The magnetic heat container has a spiral shape extending in a spiral on an identical plane and allows the heat transport medium transported by the pump to flow along the spiral shape.

A heat pump system includes a magneto-caloric material disposed within a chamber of a regenerator housing. A back iron extends between an outer magnet and an inner magnet in order to provide a flux path between the outer and inner magnets. At least a portion of the back iron extends between the outer and inner magnets along the radial direction and is not positioned coplanar with the inner and outer magnets in a plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.